Information for Buyers

Viewing

Every sale is open for viewing prior to the auction and we recommend that prospective buyers inspect the goods prior to purchase. Our staff will assist buyers with information on items being offered and are happy to advise on auction procedures. Each auction catalogue with viewing times is posted on this site prior to the viewing and auction.The usual viewing time (unless otherwise stated) is every Thursday morning from 8am until the start of the sale. For the Friday auction you may view all day Thursday and from 8am on Friday.

Pre-sale estimates are intended as a guide to prospective purchasers as to the likely range within which bids may be successful, dependant on the competition for each lot. Reserves if any are always set at or below the lower estimate as is company policy.

Buyer Registration prior to each auction.

All intending purchasers are required to register their name, address and telephone contact details to obtain a bidding paddle for each sale. Post Office boxes are not sufficient for registration. New buyers may be asked for further identification such as a driving licence or passport details. Internet clients will be asked to provide credit card details in order to complete the registration process.

Presale Competitive Bidding

Presale bidding enables competitive bidding in real time prior to the commencement of the physical auction. Bidders are able to see the highest current bid and also receive 'outbid notifications' by email. When the presale bidding closes (30 minutes prior to the start of the auction) the highest bids are carried through into the live auction. Please remember that the bids placed for presale bidding are real time bids which cannot be amended or retracted.

For online bidding clients must register, provide credit card details and sign in. Registration will also enable you to request information about a lot and send lot information to a third party. Successful bids will be invoiced by email following the auction. It remains the responsibility of the buyer to determine whether their bid has been successful. The results are available online following a short time lapse during the auction.

Lawsons will execute bids on behalfof clients who are unable to attend the auction.Commission bids canbe made onlineorduring the viewing. There is no charge for this service. Lots will be purchased as reasonably as possible, subject to other bids and reserve prices. In the event of identical bids being submitted, the first received will take precedence.

You may also participate in our auction via the telephone. A member of staff will telephone you during the auction a few lots in advance, to enable you to bid. Phone bids are only acceptable for items valued at over $100 and are subject to availability. Commission bids can be made online or during the viewing.

Live Online Bidding

The majority of our auctions are streamed live through our infinite bidding portal enabling our clients to absentee bid live whilst watching the auction through their PC. Please note there is a processing fee of 5% which is added to the invoice if the winning bid is made through this portal. click here for live stream auctions

Timed Online - Only Sales

The Timed sales have competitive bidding online but no physical auction. The catalogue is uploaded usually around 8-10 days prior to the closing time of the auction. Internet bidding is timed to end with the highest bidder winning at the cut off point. Often there is a physical view of the items in order for an inspection before the cut off time however please check with the department in each instance. Please note that in the case of competitive bidding occuring within five minutes prior to the close of sale, the closing time is rolled over for a further five minutes. This can extend up until midnight on the day of sale.

Buyers should carefully inspect items and satisfy themselves as to the condition of each lot, as this is not necessarily stated in the catalogue. Attention is drawn to the Terms and Conditions of Auction Sale. All items are sold subject to the terms and conditions printed in the auction catalogues, displayed in the saleroom and in the information below. For full terms and conditions click here.

Delivery & Payment

After an auction in our rooms, all goods must be paid for by noon and collected by 4pm on the Monday following the sale or as otherwise stated in our catalogue. Delivery of goods is subject to full payment, clearance of any cheques accepted, and confirmation of any licence or export requirements. Timed sales and weekend auctions have different collection times, please check the catalou information in each instance.